The new autonomous racing series Roborace has revealed the ‘DevBot’ development vehicle, its robotic, driverless, electric racing concept.

The main purpose of the DevBot is to allow teams to develop technologies and experience the hardware that will be used on the upcoming ‘Robocar’, which was previewed as a concept in April and will be revealed in its final form later this year.

While it may look like something of a car rig or incomplete test mule, the DevBot is already equipped with the same drivetrain, sensors, computer and communications systems as the Robocar concept designed by Daniel Simon, Roborace’s chief design officer.

Above: Robocar concept

The DevBot, unlike the Robocar, has a cabin that allows it to be driven by a human or a computer, which helps teams to gain an understanding of how the vehicle will think and feel in a racetrack scenario, while providing them with comprehensive real-time data.

Roborace is the driverless offshoot of the all-electric FIA-approved Formula E series, with the first races for the category to commence over the coming year.

The new series aims to not only showcase the extreme potential of all-electric motoring but also the potential for autonomous vehicles - by replacing human drivers with advanced software and talented control teams.

In partnership with Kinetik, an investment company, Formula E has made the Roborace championship open to racing teams along with any company or group involved in developing artificial intelligence technologies. Existing Formula E teams are also able to get in on the action.

Stay tuned for to CarAdvice for more Roborace updates when the Robocar is revealed toward the end of 2016.

Click the photos tab for more images of the Roborace DevBot, or watch the above video